27. Refining Research Questions with FINER & Theory

About this lesson

Welcome to Module 2.13 of the Research Ethics Foundations series! This video focuses on the refinement process for research questions, an essential step in ensuring that your project is feasible, focused, and aligned with scholarly standards. Learn to apply the FINER criteria, avoid common pitfalls, and use theoretical frameworks to sharpen your research inquiry.

What You’ll Learn in This Module

• How to use the FINER criteria to evaluate and refine your research question
• Common research question mistakes and how to fix them
• Aligning questions with theoretical frameworks
• How refinement improves clarity, relevance, and research value
• Practical tips for building stronger, more targeted research questions

Core Topics Covered

FINER Criteria

• Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, Relevant
• Ensuring your question is practical, motivating, and useful to the field

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Overly broad or already answered questions
• Vague or unmeasurable concepts
• Questions misaligned with available methods

Aligning with Theoretical Frameworks

• Guiding variable selection and conceptual clarity
• Connecting to existing theory for greater academic rigor
• Building questions that contribute to theoretical development

Who Should Watch This Video

• Undergraduate and graduate students
• Thesis and dissertation writers
• Academic researchers
• Public health and social science professionals
• Research mentors and advisors

Lesson notes

Full written notes for this lesson are in production. Until they publish, watch the video above and use the summary on this page as your study guide.